clarify this for me. for avid far readers

[climbhappy]

Yank McCobb: Ouch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Man that hurts.. Lob the grenades, listen i know your type. probably walk on water, can't you. Sure I did what I did, NO HARM NO FOUL, avoiding in flight collsions is up to the crew. screw the clearance.. How many fake RA s have you had where you saw it was plane on a steep climb angle. yeah I blew it... think I'll have a beer, Yank you win, I surrender!.

 

[Yank McCobb]

Well, as long as we both agree.

Man, it's just a little Friday afternoon fun. Don't get all shook up.

Enjoy your weekend and have fun out there.

 

[climbhappy]

Yeah Yank, I agree, "A shot of Patrone for my frined here!"

 

[aeronautic1]

Jesus Cristo

This is giving me a headache. I gotta fly to LGA and deal with real controllers.

 

[B-727]

Clarify this for me

Thanks for the thoughtful question. Questions such as yours contribute to the overall understanding of our profession.

You were not correct to descend below 1600' prior to final. Your captain was correct to debrief the deviation from the ATC clearance. He would have been even more correct had he directed you to extend your downwind so as to have enough distance to intercept final at 1600'.

This does not seem (to me) to be a matter of interpretation, nor do I see any ambiguity.

For more information, see FAR 91.123(a) and 91.123(b).

These paragraphs state, in part, "When an ATC clearance has been obtained, no pilot in command may deviate from that clearance unless an amended clearance is obtained,...", and, "Except in an emergency, no person may operate an aircraft contrary to an ATC instruction in an area in which air traffic control is exercised."


Regards,

B-727